UPSC NDA & NA 2025 Exam Pattern - Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

NDA Exam Pattern 2025

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes the NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for the aspirants to have a clear understanding of the overall structure of the exam. UPSC NDA 2025exam is conducted in two stages; written examination, which includes NDA 1 and NDA 2, and SSB interview (Service Selection Board). The NDA 2 2024 exam is scheduled to be held on September 1, 2024.

There are 2 sections in UPSC NDA 2025 written exam; Mathematics and GAT (General Ability Test). Both papers will comprise objective-type questions only. Total marks allotted for both papers are 900 and there will be a total of 270 questions. Candidates must note that each paper of UPSC NDA 2025 exam will be conducted for 2 ½ hours duration. There will be a negative marking of 1/3 marks for each wrong answer. The section-wise minimum qualifying marks that the candidates must secure for the written exam are 25%.

The aspirants who will be able to clear the NDA 2025 written exam, will be called for the SSB interview, which will again be conducted in two stages. In the first stage, there will be OIR and PP & DT tests and the second stage consists of psychology tests and the conference. There will be a total of 900 marks in the SSB interview. Knowing the NDA 2025 exam pattern not only helps in understanding the exam well, but candidates can also know about the number of questions asked in each section. The exam pattern of UPSC NDA comprises of the number of sections, marking scheme, time duration and the number of questions in every section. Candidates are advised to go through the exam pattern and marking scheme of UPSC NDA 2025 exam that have been mentioned below.

NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights

In the table mentioned below, candidates can cross-check all the details regarding the exam pattern of the UPSC NDA 2025 exam in order to know about the overall structure of the entrance examination. 

As per the paper pattern of NDA, there will written exam and SSB interview. The written exam of NDA 2025 will consist of Mathematics and General Ability Tests. Candidates should write the papers in their own handwriting. In no circumstances they will be allowed the help of a scribe to write answers for them. Candidates can check details of the following NDA exam pattern for the written exam:

As per the NDA 2025 exam pattern for SSB interview, the interview will be conducted for 5 days. Candidates can go through the marks division tabulated below:

Section-Wise NDA Exam Pattern 2025

General Ability Test

• The General Ability Test section will be divided into four parts: A, B, C, D.

• There will be a total of 150 questions.

• All questions will carry equal marks.

• There will be four options and candidates will have to choose only one option.

• The total duration of the Paper is 2 hours 30 minutes.

• The total marks allotted for the General Ability Section is 600.

• For every correct answer, candidate will be awarded 4 marks while for every incorrect answers, 0.33 will be deducted.

Mathematics

• Mathematics section will carry a total of 120 questions.

• The total marks allotted to this section is 300.

• For every correct answer, candidates will be awarded 2.5 marks while for every incorrect answer, 0.33 will be deducted.

• The question paper will be set both in English and Hindi.

SSB Tests

Candidates shortlisted for written examination will be called for SSB tests. The test is conducted for five days. The stages of SSB Tests include screening test, psychological test, GTO, Personal Interview, and Conference. Candidates need to qualify in all the stages by securing minimum qualifying marks.

NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-wise Distribution of Marks

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the subject-wise marks distribution of NDA exam 2025.

Marks Distribution of NDA Mathematics Paper

Candidates can go through the table below regarding the marks distribution of NDA Mathematics paper:

Marks Distribution of NDA GAT Paper

The table below contains the marks distribution of NDA GAT paper:

NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme

By following the steps given below, candidates will know the method of marking answers in the entrance examination:

• For MCQs, there are several suggested answers, however, candidates have to choose one answer out of the four.

• The question paper of UPSC NDA is in the form of test booklet, wherein responses marked (a), (b), (c), (d) will be given. From the given options, candidates will have to choose the correct and the most appropriate response.

• Candidates must note that for each question, candidates will have to select only one response, if candidates select more than one response, their response will be considered incorrect.

• In the test booklet of UPSC NDA serial nos. from 1 to 160 are printed. Therefore, out of the options, candidates will have to mark their response by completely blackening with black ball pen to indicate their response.

• There will be penalty or negative marking for each incorrect answer that has been marked by the candidate. One third (0.33) of the marks that are assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

• If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for SSB Interview

The SSB Interview consists of two stages. Candidates who will clear the Stage 1 will be called for the Stage 2 exam. In Stage 1 of the SSB Interview, there are Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 of SSB interview includes Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. The duration of the whole process of this stage will take 4 days to complete. Total marks allotted to SSB Interview are 900. Candidates can go through the NDA 2025 exam pattern of the SSB Interview.

Particulars Mentioned in the NDA 2025 Answer Sheet

• Candidates will have to write with black ball pen the details such as, their centre, subject code, subject followed by test booklet series (in bracket), and roll number at the appropriate space provided on the answer sheet at the top.

• Candidates will have to encode their booklet series (A, B, C, or D as the case may be), subject code and roll number in the circles provided for the purpose in the answer sheet.

• Candidates will have to report immediately to the invigilator, in case the booklet series is not printed on the test booklet or answer sheet is un-numbered, and get the test booklet/answer sheet replaced.

• The answer sheet is liable for rejection in case there is an omission/mistakes/discrepancy in encoding/filling of details in the OMR answer sheet, especially with regard to Roll and Test Booklet Series Code.

• In case the test booklet that has been supplied to you does not have any unprinted or torn or missing pages or items, then you should get it replaced by a complete test booklet of the same series and subject immediately after commencement of the examination.

Important Topics - NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The questions asked in the Mathematics paper are to test the calculative skill of the candidates. The questions will majorly be asked from Class 10, 11, and 12 levels. In order to do an effective preparation for the NDA 2025 exam, candidates can refer to the NDA Answer Key 2025 and can solve as many sample papers as possible.For the Mathematics section, the following topics are important ones:

• Arithmetic
• Mensuration
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Statistics, etc.
• Matrices and Determinants

In the GAT section, questions are asked in English and General Knowledge. Candidates are advised to emphasize Grammar, Comprehension and Reading Abilities for the English section. For the General Knowledge section, candidates must focus on Current Affairs, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, etc.